Oregon Beach News, Friday 3/28 – Heceta Head Lighthouse 131st Birthday Celebration on Sunday, Incredible Orca Encounter In Depoe Bay Filmed by Crew of Whale Research Eco Excursions & Other Local and Statewide News…

The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com

Friday, March 28, 2025

Oregon Beach Weather

Active Weather Alerts– National Weather Service

...HAZARDOUS SEAS WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM PDT THIS EVENING...
...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 5 PM PDT SATURDAY...

* WHAT...For the Hazardous Seas Warning, very steep and
hazardous seas 16 to 21 ft at 14 seconds. For the Small Craft
Advisory, seas 9 to 12 ft at 11 seconds expected.

* WHERE...All waters.

* WHEN...For the Hazardous Seas Warning, until 11 PM PDT this
evening. For the Small Craft Advisory, from 11 PM this evening
to 5 PM PDT Saturday.

* IMPACTS...Very steep and hazardous seas could capsize or
damage vessels. Bar crossings will become especially
treacherous.

* View the hazard area in detail at https://go.usa.gov/x6hks

Heceta Head Lightstation celebrates its 131st birthday March 30th, 2025, from 12 PM to 3 PM at the Keeper’s Home! The community is invited to celebrate at the Lightstation which has a scenic walking trail from the beach to the Keeper’s Home, Gift Shop, and lighthouse tower.

This family-friendly free event takes place at the Heceta Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast in the Keeper’s Home and on the West Lawn.Free hotdogs from Taylor’s Sausages and beverages are available. The Long Distance Bluegrass Band will perform starting at noon! Local agency representatives will be present to talk about the outstanding natural features of the area, as well as volunteers from the Heceta Lighthouse Interpretive Center at the Keeper’s Home and Oregon State Parks, and JR Beaver will be at the lighthouse tower!

The park is located off of Hwy 101 just 13 miles north of Florence. Parking is available at the Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint, and parking is $10 per vehicle. Shuttle service provided from the beach parking to the Keeper’s Home by Best Oregon Tours! For more information contact Heceta Lighthouse B&B at 541-547-3696 or keepers@hecetalighthouse.com

Incredible Orca Encounter In Depoe Bay Filmed Monday by Crew of Whale Research Eco Excursions

WATCH VIDEO HERE: https://www.facebook.com/DiscoveringDepoeBayOregon/videos/3960855430862891

Lincoln City Cultural Center   !!!! Festival of Illusions Through March 30 at the Cultural Center

Schedules, tickets, workshops, bios, cookies, free tix for Lincoln City students.. everything you need to know about our waterproof spring fun fest! [Campaign URL]

 Siuslaw Region Spring Garden Propagation Fair

If you like the idea of home grown produce, there’s an event coming this Saturday that you’ll want to attend.

The Propagation Fair is this Saturday from 11 to 3 at the Florence Senior and Activity Center on Kingwood Street near the airport.  Oshell says there will also be several speakers on a variety of topics including how to grow a robust and healthy garden on the Oregon Coast.  It’s free to attend. https://www.facebook.com/events/499112756585650

Spring Whale Watch Week Through Sunday

OREGON COAST, Oregon— Oregon State Parks will host Spring Whale Watch Week along the Oregon Coast Saturday, March 22 through Sunday, March 30.

Trained Oregon State Park volunteers and rangers will be stationed at 14 sites along the Oregon Coast to help visitors spot whales and their calves and answer questions from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily March 22-30. The sites are some of the best places to watch for whales on the Oregon Coast.  Cape Foulweather will not be included this year because it is closed due to construction.

“Spring is a great time for whale watching because the gray whales are usually closer to shore on their return trip, typically around a mile or so out, and they might have calves in tow,” said Park Ranger Peter McBride.

An estimated 19,260 gray whales are expected to swim past Oregon’s shores from late winter through June as part of their annual migration back to Alaska.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced an end to an Unusual Mortality Event impacting gray whales in 2023. Since then, the estimated population has increased by roughly 30% from 14,530 in 2023 to 19,260 last year, according to NOAA. The numbers are on the rise overall, but the calf count is still low as the population continues to rebound.

Whale Watch Week provides an opportunity to see not only the gray whales but other coastal wildlife including birds and other marine mammals with help from trained volunteers and rangers.

A map of volunteer-staffed sites is available online on the official event webpage: https://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=thingstodo.dsp_whaleWatching

The Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 22-30. Visitors to the center can enjoy interactive whale exhibits and take in the panoramic ocean views. Binoculars are provided. Rangers from Oregon State Parks will also be on hand to answer questions about the whales.

All Whale Watch Week visitors are encouraged to dress for the weather, to bring binoculars and to follow beach safety guidelines such as remaining out of fenced areas, knowing the tide schedule and keeping an eye on the surf at all times. Go to https://visittheoregoncoast.com/beach-safety/ for a list of safety tips.

For more information about coast parks and campgrounds, visit stateparks.oregon.gov.

Visitors are encouraged to share their photos and videos from Spring Whale Watch on social media using #OregonStateParks and #ORWhaleWatch.

Bay Area Hospital Says it is Defaulting on a $47M Loan

Bay Area Hospital says it’s the largest hospital on the Oregon coast, and according to the hospital’s President and CEO Brian Moore, it’s never been busier.

The hospital says it did not hit its promised profit margin even though they never missed a payment.

They say it’s facing the problem many U.S. medical centers are facing because of declining finances after the pandemic. While Moore says this is a significant event, patients won’t see any difference in treatment at this time.

“When you go several years where your expenses are growing at double digits and you see small single-digit increases from your government payers, you know, it’s really hard to stay ahead of those kinds of trends,” Moore said.

In December, the hospital announced plans to partner with Quorum Health as a way to financially recover from COVID-19. Moore says they’re still in negotiations with Quorum at this time. Moore also says they’re in talks with their bank to get back on a more financially stable path.

Power Outages From Wind Around Walport

Homes in the Tiernan area awoke without power this morning after a night of blustery winds and rain.  One other outage was reported by Central Lincoln PUD in an area north of Waldport.  There have been no major reports of damage on the roadways. The  utility company also reported outages in North Bend, but those were restored last night just before midnight.  The national weather service continues to predict strong winds for today, says tomorrow winds should be reduced to around 5 miles per hour during the day.  Rainfall is also expected to ease off throughout the day today.

Non-Profit at Risk of Shutting Down

A local nonprofit that has served the Florence area for more than three decades is facing an uncertain future. Memory Care Respite of Florence, which supports individuals living with dementia and provides relief for their caregivers, may be forced to close if it cannot fill several vacant board positions. According to the organization, recent life changes among its board members have left key roles unfilled, placing the group’s operations at risk. Memory Care Respite operates the Coffee Club adult day program and has been part of the community for 31 years.

Three rangers at Yaquina Head Natural Area get their jobs back, but still aren’t allowed to work

 Four Bureau of Land Management employees fired suddenly and without notice at Yaquina Head last month have been offered their jobs back.

Three of the four have accepted the offer. But they have no illusions — knowing the offers could vanish like castles in the sand before they are allowed back on the job.

Three full-time rangers as well as a seasonal ranger — all in the probationary stage of their jobs — were terminated Feb. 18 as a part of a national wave of federal workforce firings ordered by the Trump administration under the auspice of trimming fat from federal agencies. The rangers were offered their jobs back March 20.

The loss of nearly half its public-facing workers quickly crippled operations at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area, cutting programs, lighthouse tours and hours of operation at what is one of the central Oregon coast’s premier destinations visited by 400,000 people a year.

The firing of more than 24,000 federal workers across the country was met with court challenges and injunctions that called for the reinstatement of thousands of positions. But that could change any day as appeals by the Trump administration work their way through the courts.

A federal judge in Maryland said Wednesday that he would extend a temporary order requiring the Trump administration to bring federal workers back who were harmed by the large-scale reduction without warning, as required by law. The government is appealing the case to the 4^th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

If the rangers are not returned to their posts, hours at the park will continue to be limited and certain programs will be left to flounder, including the necessary training of this season’s tidepool guides. (SOURCE)

Registration Now Open for the Annual Oregon Spring Cleanup

– Registration is live for the annual Oregon Spring Cleanup presented by Portland General Electric! With over 100 events already posted on the SOLVE website, now is the time to get involved. Litter cleanups and habitat restoration projects span Portland and SW Washington, the entire Oregon Coast from Astoria to Brookings, the Willamette National Forest, Southern Oregon—including Medford—and all the way to Baker City in Eastern Oregon.

The Oregon Spring Cleanup, celebrating Earth Month, takes place from April 12 to 22, 2025, culminating on Saturday, April 19. Individuals, families, community and corporate groups are encouraged to participate in this collective effort to keep our region clean and beautiful. Volunteers can sign up for existing projects or host their own events with support from SOLVE.

Longtime community partner, Portland General Electric continues to champion environmental volunteerism through SOLVE. As part of PGE’s commitment to environmental stewardship, they partner with SOLVE to bring communities together to provide clean and healthy environments for all.

“Earth Month is great reminder to take action and continue to enhance our communities,” said PGE’s vice president of policy and resource planning, Kristen Sheeran. “This Earth Month, we’re ready to roll up our sleeves with SOLVE and all of the volunteer partners to make a lasting impact on Oregon’s natural spaces.”

How to Get Involved

• Sign up: Find a volunteer event near you and register yourself or a group at volunteer.solveoregon.org/
• Lead your own event: SOLVE provides all the necessary resources, including supplies and disposal funds, to make hosting a project easy for you.
• Join the challenge: Rally your school, company, or community group to take part in the Trash Bag Challenge. Participants challenge others to either join an existing SOLVE cleanup or lead their own, sparking friendly competition and community pride – solveoregon.org/challenge

Supply Hubs: Making Coastal Cleanups More Sustainable

At SOLVE, we make it easy to lead a cleanup event. This year, new coastal supply hubs provide an additional way to access event materials, making it even easier to host litter cleanups along the Oregon Coast.

Through a partnership with the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) and generous support from Knife River, SOLVE has established seven supply hubs along the Oregon Coast. These hubs—located at Cape Lookout, Fort Stevens, Port Orford Heads, South Beach, and Sunset Bay within OPRD parks, along with Heart of Cartm in Nehalem and Washed Ashore in Bandon—are stocked with supplies to support cleanups of up to 20 volunteers, reducing the shipment of single-use plastics to these areas.

Join the Trash Bag Challenge — New this year, SOLVE is also launching the Trash Bag Challenge, inviting schools, businesses, community groups, and organizations to challenge others to either join an existing cleanup or lead their own. This initiative is designed to spark friendly competition and community pride while making a tangible difference in local areas.

The Oregon Spring Cleanup 2025 is made possible by the generous support of Portland General Electric and other event sponsors, including AAA, CareOregon, Clean Water Services, Fred Meyer, Holman Enterprises, KOIN 6, The Oregonian, Lam Research Corporation, Metro, Lithia Driveway, Intel, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Swire Coca-Cola, The Standard, and PepsiCo.

For more information and to sign up, visit www.solveoregon.org/oregon-spring and be part of the collective effort to create a cleaner, greener Oregon.

About SOLVE – SOLVE brings communities together to take care of our environment and enhance our waterways. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots initiative to a national model of volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon, and SW Washington, to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas, while empowering a community of environmental stewards for our state. Visit solveoregon.org for more information. 

Group Plans Protest at Florence City Hall

A group called Florence ORganizes is planning a protest at Florence City Hall on Saturday, April 5th, from 1 to 3 p.m. The event is part of a nationwide effort with grassroots organizations, aiming to speak out against what organizers describe as corrupt government actions.

They say the protest is family friendly and encourage participants to bring signs, musical instruments, and join in chanting. According to organizers, the event is about making a joyful noise as part of resistance. More information is available on their Facebook page at facebook.com/FlorenceORganizes.

Rhody Parade Sign-up

Florence is gearing up for the 118th annual Rhododendron Festival Parade, and organizers are preparing for a colorful display of floats, costumes, and floral themes. The entry deadline for participants is Monday, April 28, with early submissions due by April 7 to avoid a $20 entry fee.

This year’s parade will feature live announcing, judging, and prizes, continuing the long-standing tradition of community celebration. The Rhododendron Festival remains one of Florence’s most recognized events, drawing entries from across the region. https://florencechamber.com/rhododendron-festival/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJRHN9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHatNcOoStmNCUyCEhq5pOC_tUQGfWCiVVF0gPjHY8MU6rQBLhS2A30ORHw_aem_iAk1YG50hwoZ6g7-RSMGhw

Oregon’s Shore Acres State Park Volunteer Days – Chance to Give Back

Shore Acres State Park will host Garden Volunteer Days once a month April through September to give visitors a chance to volunteer in the garden.

Volunteers can learn how to prune a rose or maintain a 100-year-old-lily pond as they work alongside rangers in caring for the beautiful gardens at 89526 Cape Arago Highway, Coos Bay.

Garden Volunteer Days run 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.:

• April 18: Pond Cleanup including pulling out debris, fertilizing pond lilies and trimming shrubs along the pond. Rubber boots are highly recommended, and plan on getting wet. For ages 18 and older.
• May 16, June 20 and July 18: Garden cleanup including weeding, trimming, mowing, mulching, planting, rose pruning and pulling invasive plants. Ages 14 and older.
• Aug. 15: English Ivy pull to help remove this invasive species from the garden. For ages 14 and older.
• Sept. 19: Garden cleanup including weeding, trimming, mowing, mulching, planting, rose pruning and pulling invasive plants. Ages 14 and older.

Participants should be prepared to travel a short distance on uneven ground at the service site. Service will take place outdoors, and volunteers should be comfortable wearing work gloves and using hand tools. Gloves, hand tools and morning snacks are provided. Bring a lunch.

Closed-toed shoes are recommended. Wear something you don’t mind getting dirty. Please contact Park Ranger Jess Hayward with any questions at Jess.hayward@oprd.oregon.gov or 541-888-3732.

Shore Acres features a formal garden with plants and flowers from all over the world. It includes a Japanese-style garden with lily pond and two curated rose gardens that include All-American Rose Selections. Something is in bloom almost every day of the year: the first spring bulbs pop up in late February; rhododendrons and azaleas soon follow; roses bloom through the summer; and dahlias appear August through mid-October.

Join the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday, April 6th at the community pancake breakfast hosted by the Gleneden Beach Community Club!

All tips from the breakfast will be supporting the annual Shop with a Cop event. Fill your stomach with all you can eat pancakes, meet our leadership team, and support the annual Shop with a Cop event

. What: Community Pancake Breakfast – All you can eat pancakes; sausage or ham, eggs, orange juice, and coffee. When: Sunday, April 6, 2025, from 8am – 11am

Where: Gleneden Beach Community Hall, 110 Azalea St, Gleneden Beach, OR 97388 Who: Community members, family friendly event Cost:Adults – $10Ages 6-12 $6Under 6 – Free All tips go to support the annual Shop with a Cop event. Thank you, Gleneden Beach Community Club, for hosting us! Facebook event link: https://www.facebook.com/share/18VoEGm9fx/

North Bend Fire hosts pancake feed honoring late community supporter Leroy Griggs

Public  · Anyone on or off Facebook 57th Annual Pancake Feed – A Day of Deliciousness and Community Spirit! Get ready for an amazing day of food, fun, and giving back at the 57th Annual Pancake Feed hosted by the North Bend Fire Department!   When: Sunday, April 13th, 2025, Time: 8 AM – 1 PM

 Where: North Bend Fire Department, 1880 McPherson St., North BendThis year’s Pancake Feed is dedicated to Leroy Griggs, also known as Mr. Flapjack. Leroy’s love for pancakes and his dedication to the community made him a staple at this event. We honor him for his years of service and the joy he brought to everyone with his delicious flapjacks.

 Here’s why you can’t miss it: Savor the Flavor: Enjoy the world’s best pancakes, savory sausage, and hearty slabs of ham, all cooked with care by your local firefighters.

 Fun for All Ages: Join in on raffles and silent auctions – win big and support local causes! Affordable for All: $10/adult, $5/kids (6-12), and kids under 6 eat FREE! Bring the whole family (5 or more) for just $30! All Proceeds Benefit the Kids for Christmas Program: Your participation helps provide food, toys, and gifts for local children in need during the holidays.

Let’s come together and make this year’s Pancake Feed the best one yet in honor of Leroy Griggs! Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers! Contact us at www.northbendoregon.us/contact

Welcome to year two of our Art+Science+Community Nights! April 26

Huge thank you to ODFW for funding this series of events, taking place on the Central Oregon Coast from Feb-April 2025. The final event of the series is an extra special evening around a crackling fire next to the ocean April 26th from 6-8:30pm

Taking place at the firepit of the Overleaf Lodge in Yachats, join us for an evening of local storytelling, poetry, songs, snacks, warm drinks, and community- all inspired by Cape Perpetua. BYOM bring your own mug, we will provide drink mixes, tea, and hot water Sign ups are live at https://www.eventbrite.com/…/artsciencecommunity-night…

Lincoln City Police – Distracted Driving Enforcement Operations Planned During April

The month of April is designated as the National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Lincoln City Police Department will be utilizing traffic safety grant funds to conduct enhanced enforcement operations during the month.

The Lincoln City Police Department will be joining law enforcement agencies across the state and nation in working together to enforce distracted driving laws in an effort to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving and deter drivers from using their mobile devices while driving. The enhanced enforcement operations will be conducted periodically throughout the month of April.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2022 there were 3,308 people killed in traffic crashes and another 290,000 injured in traffic crashes involving distracted drivers. Distracted Driving is a dangerous behavior for drivers, passengers, and non-occupants alike, and is a leading cause of vehicle crashes on our nation’s roadways. Distracted driving is a specific type of inattention that occurs when drivers divert their attention from the task of driving to focus on other activities, such as using their phones. During the month, drivers will see increased patrol efforts with an emphasis on seeking out drivers who are distracted by talking or texting on their cell phones, or using other electronic devices while they are operating their vehicle. The goal of these enhanced enforcement efforts is to increase the safety of the citizens and visitors of Lincoln City.

The Distracted Driving Enforcement grant funds are a valuable resource that assist us in improving the traffic safety in our community. Our objective is to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving, and to reduce the number of distracted drivers on the roadways to prevent crashes that cause injuries and cost lives. These grant funds were made possible through the Oregon Department of Transportation and Oregon Impact.

Lincoln Co. District Attorney’s Office Requests Help Solving Kelly Disney Homicide

WE NEED YOUR HELP!  17-year-old Kelly Disney was last seen in the early morning hours on March 9, 1984, walking eastbound on Highway 20 near U.S. 101 in Newport, Oregon. Kelly was observed on Highway 20 by several witnesses before disappearing and never being seen alive again.

In July 1994, Kelly’s skull was found in an abandoned vehicle near Big Creek Reservoir outside of Newport, Oregon. It appeared her skull had recently been placed at that location and her death was ruled a homicide. Kelly’s disappearance and homicide remain unsolved.

The Lincoln County District Attorney’s Cold Case Team is seeking information from the community in an effort to solve the 40-year-old disappearance and homicide of Kelly Disney. We believe there are individuals in our community who may have information that could assist in this investigation.

If you knew Kelly or heard about her disappearance, we want to hear from you. Whether you experienced something firsthand or heard information thirdhand, that information is valuable. No matter how insignificant you feel the information might be, we still want to hear from you.  

It is never too late to come forward and share information. If you do not want to reveal the circumstances in which you obtained the information, you can report information anonymously. SUBMIT A TIP: CALL: (541) 265-0669 —- EMAIL:  FindKellyDisney@co.lincoln.or.us

Respect Nesting Areas to Protect Threatened Snowy Plover on the Oregon Coast March 15 – Sept. 15

 – The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and Siuslaw National Forest remind visitors to the Oregon coast that it is plover nesting season ­— beachgoers can help recovery efforts for the threatened western snowy plover March 15 to Sept. 15.

Sensitive plover nesting areas are identified on maps for the northern Oregon Coast and southern Oregon Coast. Signs may be present at trailheads with additional rules and limits, such as staying on the wet sand and no dogs even on a leash, to help protect the small shorebirds and their exposed nests during this crucial period. Visitors may also see rope fencing in dry sand areas; this fencing delineates some, but not all, of the critical plover habitat that should be avoided.

Recreation restrictions occur in designated plover management areas: stretches of beach along the coastline where plovers nest or might nest. These areas combined make up about 40 miles of Oregon’s 362 miles of shoreline.

Seasonal recreation restrictions have helped protect these small birds that nest on open sand along Oregon’s beaches. Nests, and especially chicks, are well-camouflaged. During the nesting season, human disturbances can flush adult plovers away from their nests as they attempt to defend their young. Left alone too long, or too often, eggs or chicks can die from exposure, predators or people.

Reminders for recreation on designated plover beaches March 15-Sept. 15:

• The following are not permitted: dogs (even on a leash), driving a vehicle, riding a bicycle, operating electric-assisted bicycles, camping, burning wood, flying kites or operating drones.
• Foot and equestrian traffic are permitted below the high-tide line on hard packed sand.
• Respect signs and barriers to protect nesting habitat.

“With the support of the public and improvements to plover habitat, we’re making great strides in reversing the decline of this species,” said Cindy Burns, Siuslaw National Forest wildlife biologist. “Keep doing your part to understand nesting season rules and to share the beach this spring and summer.”

More information on the snowy plover, including detailed maps of nesting sites, can be found on the Oregon State Parks website (oregon.gov/plovers) and on the Siuslaw National Forest website (https://t.ly/AKPAN). Visitors to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and Sand Lake Recreation Area can review Off-highway Vehicle (OHV) maps to identify unrestricted recreation areas and information on riding motor vehicles on the sand.

New plover activity   

Plovers have been found nesting in new or historical nesting sites. For example, plover nests have been identified at the Sand Lake Recreation Area, near the lake’s inlet, every year the last few years. Beachgoers can protect these birds by recreating on the wet sand areas, avoiding roped off nesting areas, observing trail kiosks and signs, packing all trash out and keeping dogs on leash.

Background on plover protections

Several land managers oversee beach activity for plover protection, primarily the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD), and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFW).

Habitat loss from invasive plants — as well as human disturbances, including litter and discarded food scraps that attract predators — have contributed to the birds’ decline. The Oregon Dunes Restoration Collaborative, saveoregondunes.org, is working with land managers on a restoration strategy and to raise public awareness about the need to restore the dunes ecosystem for western snowy plovers, rare plants and animals and the unique recreation

Volunteers are being sought to help prepare and serve lunch three times a week at the Florence Senior and Activity Center.  

They serve lunch Monday, Wednesday, and Friday each week. Both programs, the in-house dining known as Cafe 60, and Meals on Wheels, are very important in helping promote socialization and nutrition for older adults in Lane County.  Volunteer drivers for Meals on Wheels use their own vehicles, but they can be reimbursed for their mileage.  The Lane Council of Governments operates the Senior and Disabled Services in Lane County.  Alisa Andrion encourages potential volunteers to give her a call at L-COG, 541-682-1366.

Siuslaw schools are collecting unwanted, unused, or broken electronics now through April 8th in partnership with Lane County Waste Management and NextStep Recycling.

The school that collects the most e-waste will win a sustainability grant of up to $500. Accepted items include TVs, computers, printers, cellphones, game consoles, and more—excluding plastic non-electronic items. Donations are repaired or recycled for community use. Drop-offs are accepted at NextStep Recycling in Eugene, and businesses can request a free pickup. More details at wastewiselane.org/ERC.

The Columbia River Maritime Museum is looking for its newest crew member!

MUSEUM EDUCATOR — Full Time, Salary Position reporting to Director of Education

Full job description and employment application are available on our website – https://www.crmm.org/join-our-crew.html

Coos Bay Police Department –  WE’RE HIRING 9-1-1 DISPATCHERS

$4684 – $5972/Month DOQ — We offer:•A dynamic team environment •Alternative schedule benefiting work/life balance •Up to 5 weeks paid time off per year after the first year •The opportunity to serve your community

Our team members have come from a variety of work fields- no experience necessary! For additional information from the North Coos 9-1-1 Recruitment Team or to schedule a ride-along please email: join911@coosbayor.govhttps://www.coosbayor.gov/…/Compon…/JobPosts/Job/126/107

Gleneden Beach Community Club Events

Look what’s coming up soon at the Club… (sign up at glenedenbeach.org)

The Oregon Coast Aquarium New Tufted Puffin Oregon License Plates on Sale

One of Oregon’s most adorably iconic seabirds is coming to the front and back of a car near you. The Oregon Coast Aquarium has opened voucher sales for its new tufted puffin license plates.

The design, featuring a tufted puffin floating in the ocean and gazing down at some fish below, was created by the
aquarium’s graphic design and marketing coordinator, Cam Mullins.

Starring a tufted puffin—one of Oregon’s iconic seabirds–funds from the new license plate will benefit both the Aquarium’s animals and their wild counterparts. You can purchase a voucher now and exchange it at the DMV once the physical plates are available. We need to sell 3,000 vouchers to reach the production stage—meaning the sooner 3,000 vouchers are sold, the sooner production begins, and the sooner you’ll have your puffin plates in-hand. Read the full story at aquarium.org/puffin-plate-debut: photo by OCAq’s Jeremy Burke

Tufted puffins are native to Oregon and nest on the rocky coast. The aquarium has a Seabird Aviary that sustains a flock of these sea birds and the profits from the license plates will go to benefit these puffins and their wild counterparts.

The voucher is available for purchase on the aquarium’s website. The cost covers the $40 surcharge fee and the money left over after the deduction of the DMV’s fees will go to support the Oregon Coast Aquarium’s
rehabilitation and conservation efforts. The aquarium is building a new marine wildlife rehabilitation center with
hopes of doubling the number of animal patients it can offer care to. FOLLOW on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/OregonCoastAquarium

Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

Follow on Facebook: Emergency Volunteer Corps of Nehalem Bay

Impact of federal grant cuts on OHA programs and Oregonians

–The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), abruptly terminated roughly $117 million in COVID-era grants and funding for Oregon Health Authority programs, an impact that will be felt immediately in all nine federally recognized Tribal communities and in every county in Oregon.

The sudden loss of the funding, a year or more before some of the grants were scheduled to end, included, among other things:

• Five grants in OHA’s Behavioral Health Division that helped establish the 988 crisis line and were planned to fill critical gaps in community substance use treatment, prevention, and recovery services, especially for communities of color, young adults, and veterans.
• A grant that established an Equity Office in OHA’s Public Health Division and provided technical assistance and training to rural health care providers, Tribes, Local Public Health Departments and community-based organizations on how to improve health in communities experiencing health inequities.
• Multiple immunization-related grants in OHA’s Public Health Division to support vaccine-preventable disease work, including funding for clinics in local and Tribal communities where COVID-19 and other vaccines are offered, training to keep health care providers up to date, education for community partners on the importance of immunizations, help desk support for health care providers and the general public, information materials in multiple languages to meet specific community needs.
• Multiple grants in OHA’s Public Health Division that supported adding laboratory capacity, modernizing data systems, increased surveillance, testing and response to communicable diseases caused by respiratory viruses.

OHA officials earlier today notified local public health authorities, the nine federally recognized Tribes and community-based organizations and partners who receive the funds that the grants have ended. OHA will continue to engage in a full evaluation of the impacts of these terminations, including whether they are legal, and remains committed to improving the lifelong health of all people in Oregon.

ONA Condemns Trump Administration’s Plan to Gut the Department of Health and Human Services: “Oregonians Will Suffer”

— The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) strongly condemns the Trump administration’s announcement to eliminate 10,000 positions from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This is a calculated and catastrophic assault on the public health system that healthcare workers and patients across Oregon rely on every day. 

“This is not streamlining. This is sabotage,” said Tamie Cline, RN, ONA President. “Slashing the workforce at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the middle of overlapping public health crises will put lives at risk. Healthcare professionals in Oregon and across the country are already stretched thin, and this makes our jobs harder, our communities sicker, and our public institutions weaker.” 

The Trump administration’s plan would gut the CDC’s ability to respond to disease outbreaks, limit the NIH’s capacity to fund life-saving research, and hamstring the FDA’s oversight of food and drug safety. These federal agencies are essential partners in safeguarding public health and ensuring healthcare workers have the resources, data, and support needed to care for their communities. Weakening them is an attack on the health and safety of every person in this state. 

Some of the potential impacts of these reckless cuts include: 

• Disease Outbreaks and Emergency Response: Oregon received more than $8.4 million through the CDC’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness program in FY2023, funding over 100 positions that help the state respond to wildfires, floods, and disease outbreaks. Cuts to CDC staffing threaten this funding and leave Oregon less prepared to protect public health during emergencies. 
• Opioid Overdose and Suicide Prevention: The CDC allocated nearly $4 million to Oregon in FY2023 for opioid overdose prevention and nearly $1 million for suicide prevention. These programs fund naloxone distribution, peer recovery mentorship, and crisis intervention services; programs that may disappear if federal support and staffing are gutted. 
• Lead Poisoning Prevention: Oregon’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program received over $500,000 in federal funding to identify and eliminate lead exposure risks, particularly for low-income children. Cuts to CDC personnel jeopardize this funding and threaten to increase preventable childhood lead poisoning cases across the state. 
• Medical Research at OHSU: Oregon Health & Science University received $277 million from the National Institutes of Health in FY2024 to support research on cancer, Alzheimer’s, and other life-threatening diseases. Slashing NIH staff by over 1,000 positions could delay or reduce future grant opportunities, setting back life-saving research led by Oregon scientists. 

The consequences will be felt most acutely by those already struggling to access care; reduced access to mental health and addiction services in rural Oregon, stalled research on chronic diseases at Oregon’s top academic institutions, and delayed approval of critical medications and treatments. Healthcare providers will be left without the federal support we rely on to deliver safe, effective care. 

While most of Oregon’s congressional delegation has consistently stood up for healthcare workers and opposed these reckless cuts, U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz has remained silent. Silence is complicity. The Oregon Nurses Association calls on Rep. Bentz to publicly oppose this dangerous plan. Oregon cannot afford one more politician sitting on the sidelines while our public health infrastructure is dismantled. 

“Healthcare workers know what it takes to keep our communities safe,” Cline said. “We are calling this what it is: a dangerous, politically motivated effort to break public health in order to break public trust. And we will not let that happen without a fight.” 

ONA urges healthcare professionals, patients, and advocates across Oregon to raise their voices, contact their representatives, and demand that these cuts be stopped before more damage is done. 

The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) represents a diverse community of more than 23,000 nurses, and health care professionals throughout Oregon. Together, we use our collective power to advocate for critical issues impacting patients, nurses, and health care professionals including a more effective, affordable and accessible healthcare system; better working conditions for all health care professionals; and healthier communities. For more information visit www.OregonRN.org.

Oregon Food Banks Face Shortages after Federal Administration Halts $500M in Aid

Oregon Food Bank to lose 4 million lbs of food deliveries from USDA amid federal cuts

Oregon foodbanks across the state will lose access to food shipments and leave more Oregonians hungry, advocates say, after the Trump administration suspended a national emergency food program.

The administration halted $500 million in food aid that was slated for U.S. distribution this year. The Oregon Food Bank, which distributes food aid to 21 regional foodbanks and some 1,200 distribution sites, had been allocated 30 truckloads of food beginning in April under the program and another 60 truckloads that would have been delivered from July through December.

Together, the shipments would have comprised some 4.2 million pounds of food – truckloads of chicken, milk, fresh and canned fruits and vegetables – that end up on the shelves of food pantries around the state and provide a vital lifeline for families and individuals struggling with food security.

The program provided almost one-fifth of the food the Oregon Food Bank distributed last year, plus administrative funding to support distribution costs.

The Oregon Food Bank has been receiving food under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s emergency food assistance program since 2023. In 2024, the value of those shipments was $14 million, and it received $1 million in funding to cover administrative costs. The value of this year’s canceled shipments is an estimated $6 million, plus an additional $1 million to support distribution.

The food banks were provided no official reason for the program’s suspension. Last fall, the Biden administration announced that it was investing another $1 billion in the program, said Shannon Oliver, the Oregon Food Bank’s director of operations. She said there was no reason at the time to think the incoming administration would change that. So the organization was caught off guard when it got a notice in February from Feeding America, a national network of food banks, that the program had been frozen, and its food orders disappeared from the program’s portal.

“As the person that’s in charge of making our food projections, I feel like I kind of have to be on the conservative side and assume that it’s not coming back,” Oliver said. “What’s keeping me up at night is how to potentially make this up.”

The supply disruption comes as the organization] is seeing a record level of demand amid severe inflation in food prices. Last year its network of food banks and distribution sites around Oregon and southwest Washington saw 2.5 million visits, a 31% increase from the previous year. According to Feed America, about one in eight Oregonians, and one in six children in the state, faces food insecurity.

“The amount we’re distributing right now is not keeping pace with increased pantry visits and increased need out in the community,” Oliver said.

She said it was highly unlikely that traditional donors and local suppliers could make up the gap. Many are being hit by the same chaotic forces that have come from the new administration’s economic and immigration policies, including tariffs, supply chain disruptions and the threat of immigration raids on growers.

The upshot of the federal freeze, she said, will be fewer distributions to its regional food banks, smaller allowances and less choice for families visiting them, and the potential closure of some distribution and meal sites. (SOURCE)

Governor Kotek’s office has heard from thousands of Oregonians concerned with utility rate increases that have gone up for most by about 50% in the last five years.

Kotek detailed this and her own concerns in a March 20 letter to the three governor-appointed chairs and executive director of the Oregon Public Utility Commission, which is charged with regulating the rates of investor-owned, monopoly electric and gas utilities operating in the state.  She also laid out her expectations for the commission in the letter, including honoring the state’s climate commitments while considering requests for rate increases from utilities.

She asked that members provide information by Aug. 1 about their ability going forward to keep electricity and gas services affordable for Oregonians, handle the impacts of new heavy users such as data centers and ensure sound investments are being made in modernizing grid and distribution systems so Oregonians get reliable energy deliveries. 

Kotek acknowledged both electric and natural gas utilities have and continue to face increasing insurance costs from the threat of catastrophic wildfires, inflationary pressures and volatile fuel prices. Everyday customers face those challenges, too.  NW Natural, the state’s largest private gas utility, turned off gas to 376 Oregonians in 2024 – a 30% increase since 2023.

In the last five years, residential rates for customers of all three utilities have risen by about 50%, and the Oregon’s Public Utility Commission has approved rate hikes requested by the utilities nearly every year.

Governor Kotek wants to make it easier for housing developers to identify and build on the more than 3,500 acres of suitable-for-development land the state owns or manages.

The governor revealed an online map on Thursday aimed at making the state inventory of land more transparent. All told, more than 1.7 million acres are under Oregon state control, but about 360 parcels on the nearly 4,000 acres have been identified for possible housing development. 

Kotek has staked her political reputation on making housing more affordable in the state, which hasn’t happened at all. Much of her administration’s energy has been poured into what the governor once declared a “man-made” and “humanitarian disaster.”

Kotek has promised a significant increase in housing production goals; her goal is to move from the historical 22,000 units to 36,000 new housing units per year, an ease in permitting and a push to put hundreds more people into housing. The state has struggled to meet those goals.  The legislature opened the Housing Accountability and Productive Office to help local governments streamline their efforts, including the new website. The online map is cumbersome looking right now, but Deborah Flagan, with Hayden Homes, said finding land poses the greatest challenge for builders. Flagan was on a housing advisory council that recommended the idea. 

Another central piece of Kotek’s housing production plan also recently launched. The $75 million “revolving loan fund” went live last month. It’s aimed at helping cities and counties boost affordable housing stock. The idea is to create a program to help local governments offer interest-free loans to developers who are building moderate and affordable home projects but have a funding gap. The $75 million is the starting point and will be replenished once the loans are paid off.

Oregon’s unemployment rate was up once again for February despite some sectors like government of course, actually adding jobs. Last month saw an unemployment rate of 4.5% in our state. That’s four-tenths of a point above the national average. 

Sectors that saw the most gains were professional and business services, information, and government, which added more than 500 jobs.

However, construction, private educational services, and financial services all saw job decreases. Oregon’s 4.5% unemployment rate is the highest the state’s seen since August of 2021.

Amtrak’s “Horizon” railcars have been pulled from service due to corrosion concerns, affecting nearly all trips on Amtrak Cascades daily service between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Eugene.

Amtrak is pulling its fleet of “Horizon” railcars from several lines, including the Amtrak Cascades route, after a routine inspection revealed safety concerns, according to a statement on its website Wednesday morning.

The rail service has scheduled buses to transport passengers on the impacted Cascades trips through the end of the month.  The “Talgo VI” railcars, which were previously used on the Cascades route, were pulled after derailing on a bridge over Interstate 5 in DuPont, Wash., in 2017. Three people were killed in the crash.

The Horizon cars were then brought in from the Midwest for the Cascades run, which moves up and down the I-5 corridor. But now they’ve been canceled due to the corrosion issue. The Cascades route is scheduled to get new “Airo” railcars in 2026. In a separate notice on its website Wednesday, Amtrak said a total of 70 passenger cars across the country are affected, including 26 cars on the Amtrak Cascades route.  In the short-term, buses have been secured to transport passengers to their destinations through March 30.

The Cascades route is a different route than the Coast Starlight and is unaffected as they use different railcars to transport passengers.  The Coast Starlight will remain on its current schedule with no changes whatsoever from Southern California to Seattle, including their stop in Klamath Falls.

Oregon Senate passes bill for permanent standard time… or possibly permanent daylight saving time

The bill could switch Oregon to either permanent standard time or permanent daylight saving time, depending on what the federal government and neighboring states do.

The Oregon legislature is once again flirting with the idea of getting rid of the twice-annual switching of the clocks. Senate Bill 1038, which passed the state Senate Tuesday, could set Oregon up to adopt either permanent standard time or permanent daylight saving time, depending on what the federal government, Washington and California do. 

Speaking on the Senate floor Tuesday, bill sponsor Sen. Kim Thatcher explained that her priority is simply to lock the clocks, regardless of which timeframe comes out on top. She said the bill sets Oregon up to take whichever approach happens to work out sooner.

“I can’t say which of these would happen, but I do know that this bill gives us the highest percent chance of ditching the switch,” she said.

Under current federal law, states can choose to opt out of daylight saving time and remain on standard time year-round, but they aren’t allowed to implement permanent daylight saving time. Only Arizona and Hawaii have opted for permanent standard time; all others continue to switch the clocks.

Oregon first pursued a change in 2019 when the legislature passed a bill — also sponsored by Thatcher — to switch to permanent daylight saving time. The bill included two trigger conditions: it will only kick in if Congress changes the federal law and if Washington and California both decide to make the same switch. Washington quickly got on board with a similar bill, but so far, California and the federal government haven’t budged.

The idea of moving in the other direction emerged last year when Thatcher introduced Senate Bill 1548, which proposed a switch to year-round standard time, bypassing the need for federal approval. The bill initially didn’t include the California-and-Washington trigger either, but Thatcher added it to get the bill through the Senate — though it ultimately died in the House.

SB 1038 essentially combines the two prior bills; if the federal law changes and Washington and California switch to permanent daylight savings time within 10 years, Oregon will follow suit. And if the other two states instead decide to switch to permanent standard time within 10 years, Oregon will do likewise.

Thatcher said she took an all-of-the-above approach for SB 1038 because she heard differing opinions from other lawmakers last year about whether permanent standard time or permanent daylight saving time would be the better strategy, but either way, no one wanted Oregon to be out of sync with Washington or California.

The bill passed 18-11; two senators who spoke in opposition said that they did not want to allow for the possibility of switching to permanent standard time because of negative impacts during the summer.

“A number of the emails that I received from folks shared that they are not comfortable with driving in the dark,” said Sen. Wlnsvey Campos. “These are folks that might otherwise be frequenting businesses, and so, this is a loss of revenue to them.”

Supporters generally said they had less of an opinion about which way Oregon goes, as long as it stays matched to its neighbors. Sen. Jeff Golden, whose district sits along Oregon’s southern border, said he’d heard a large amount of feedback from his constituents that convinced him to back Thatcher’s approach.

“There’s really a lot of consensus in my district on two points… one, let’s stop switching time. We don’t want to switch time anymore. It’s confusing; it’s disrupting; let’s go to one or the other,” he said. “And two, let’s be the same as California.”

Like its predecessors, SB 1038 would only apply to the part of the state that operates on Pacific Time. The majority of Malheur County at the eastern edge of Oregon operates on Mountain Time and would continue to do so even if the legislation takes effect. (SOURCE)

Big changes are coming to Mega Millions next month. Players will pay more for an increased ticket price but can also expect adjustments to prizes, higher starting jackpots and higher winning odds.

The new cost of a single-play Mega Millions ticket will rise from $2 per play to $5 per play, starting with the April 8 drawing.

Players who had won $2 in the old game will now take home $10, $15, $20, $25 or $50 under this game.  Those who had won $500 under the old rules will now take home $1,000; $1,500; $2,000; $2,500 or $5,000 in this new game. Non-jackpot prizes at every level are going up by 2X to 10X. 

These changes will take effect next week, according to a press release, after the last drawing on the current game April 4. The first drawings under the new system will begin April 8. It’s the second time in the game’s history that a price adjustment has been made, and the first since 2017.

Mega Millions is played in Oregon and 44 other states, Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Kroger Grocery is denying Albertsons’ claims that it didn’t do enough to ensure regulatory approval of the companies’ planned supermarket merger.

In court papers filed Tuesday in the Delaware Court of Chancery, Kroger said Albertsons disregarded the companies’ merger agreement and worked secretly with a partner, C&S Wholesalers, to try to force Kroger to divest more stores to C&S. Kroger also claimed that Albertsons was secretly planning to sue Kroger if the deal didn’t go through long before the merger actually fell apart in December.

Kroger said in Tuesday’s court filing that it should not be forced to pay Albertsons a $600 million termination fee as well as billions of dollars in legal fees.  

In a statement Tuesday, Albertsons said it was Kroger that failed to honor the merger agreement.

“Kroger’s self-interested conduct doomed the merger, and we are now focused on returning value to Albertsons’ shareholders to compensate for those losses,” Albertsons said.

Kroger and Albertsons first proposed the merger in 2022. They argued that combining would help them better compete with big retailers like Walmart and Costco. But the Federal Trade Commission and two states — Washington and Colorado — sued to block the merger last year, saying it would raise prices and lower workers’ wages by eliminating competition. It also said Kroger and Albertsons’ plan to divest 579 stores, C&S Wholesalers was inadequate to ensure competition, since C&S was ill-equipped to take on so many stores.

In December, judges in Washington and Oregon halted the merger in two rulings issued within hours of each other.

Albertsons said Kroger refused to divest more stores, even as it became clear that regulators weren’t satisfied with its plans. Albertsons said Kroger also should have sought other buyers beyond C&S to satisfy regulators’ concerns.

Oregon public schools would have to consider installing a panic alarm system under a bill that unanimously passed the state House.

Alyssa’s Law is named after Alyssa Alhadeff, a student who was killed in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2017. Schools that have installed these systems find that about 80 percent of the alerts are for medical purposes.

In 2023, the Oregon Legislature approved two-and-a-half million dollars to help pay for the systems. The bill now moves to the Senate.

The federal government would prioritize use of mass timber in construction projects under a bill in Congress.

Senators from Oregon and Idaho are leading the bipartisan effort to pass the Mass Timber Federal Buildings Act. Mass timber involves a process that makes wood strong enough for high rise construction, and more fire resistant.

The bill would make it a preference to use mass timber in federal construction projects.

A new bill in the Oregon legislature could result in a sales tax on beer, wine, and cider in Oregon.

House Bill 3197 proposes a 2% tax starting in 2026, eventually climbing to 8% in 2032. The tax would impact consumers at restaurants and at the grocery store. A majority of the funds collected, 85%, would go toward funding youth alcohol and drug abuse prevention programs. 

The Oregon Beverage Alliance opposes the tax, citing a Monitoring the Future survey that claims youth drinking and drug use is at an all-time low.  a spokesperson with the Oregon Beverage Alliance said. “Lawmakers should not be raising prices through a regressive sales tax on constituents when they’re already at record highs.

Additionally, the beer and wine sectors are seeing record closures with 70 breweries, taprooms, and brewpubs and 60 wineries and tasting rooms shuttering in the past two years as fewer people are drinking.”

Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs

No veteran should be without a place to call home, and the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs is committed to ending veteran homelessness in our state.

The new ODVA Houseless Veterans Program collaborates with federal, state, county, and Tribal agencies, veteran services offices, and community homeless service providers to meet the urgent and unique needs of Oregon’s diverse veteran communities challenged with housing stability.

In addition to advocating for Oregon veterans experiencing or at risk for houselessness, the program provides direct service to veterans and their families seeking federal and state veterans’ benefits, including access to local VA health care, documentation of service, as well as other available state benefits, and local homeless services organizations and low-income assistance programs.

If you or a veteran you know is dealing with homelessness, contact the ODVA Houseless Veterans Coordinator today at houselessvets@odva.oregon.gov or visit https://ow.ly/V4EH50VnL93 to learn more.

A bill limiting Oregon landlords from increasing rentals more than once a year is under consideration by lawmakers.

Tenants Must Be Given Three Months Notice

If passed, Senate Bill 722 will ensure tenants are given a three-month notice of increases and that rent hikes do not exceed the legal percentage limit set by Oregon state law, linked to the Consumer Price Index.

Landlords exceeding the legal limit will face penalties, while tenants can sue for three months rent plus additional damages where applicable. Every month of violation will be considered a separate offense.

The lawsuit claims that RealPage is an intermediary algorithm that exploits sensitive rental data, enriching compliant landlords by tenants paying inflated prices.

A public hearing of Bill 722 will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, 6 March, at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem.

At present, newly built apartments are exempt from rent control for the first 15 years of operation. SB 722 wants to reduce the exemption period from 15 to seven years to allow tenants in newer apartment complexes to receive rent increase protection sooner.

Landlords will be prohibited from using AI software to set rentals and vacancy rates.

The bill will allow tenants to form committees to address issues at their residences. Landlords must meet with the committee within 10 to 30 days of a request. Meetings will be allowed up to twice annually unless both parties agree otherwise.

The chief sponsor of Bill 722 is Oregon Senator Chris Gorsek, who wants to safeguard tenants from losing the roof over their heads.

It originates from a lawsuit against RealPage, a rental pricing software package, by Oregon and seven other states last year.

A new bill on the Oregon house floor is taking wide swings at allocating funding to pay for anticipated wildfire costs in the next biennium including a proposed surcharge on bottles and cans.

State Representatives John Lively and Bobby Levy introduced HB 3940, a bipartisan proposal aimed at funding wildfire prevention and suppression in Oregon. The bill creates new provisions, directing multiple funding sources towards the State Fire Marshal’s office to make up for a projected shortfall of about $300 million.

Sources include insurance and forest harvest taxes, the Oregon Rainy Day Fund, and a 5¢ surcharge on each beverage container sold in the state. Representative John Lively from Springfield says not every recommendation from the bill is meant to pass, but rather a combination of solutions.

Ashland Senator Jeff Golden says his own plan to hold back Oregon’s Kicker would help fund wildfire needs if HB 3940 doesn’t get through the legislature, or fails to raise enough money. The bill was sent to the House Committee on Climate, Energy, and Environment, but has not yet been scheduled for a public hearing.

State Agencies Issue Unpaid Toll Scam Alert

The Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) are warning residents of a new scam.

“Scammers posing as DMV and ODOT are texting cell phones about unpaid toll fees,” a release from the two state agencies states. “The messages vary, but essentially claim you have a past due toll balance that must be paid immediately to avoid DMV fines or having your license suspended. These are fake messages and phishing scams trying to get payment information from unsuspecting Oregonians.”

ODOT officials said the agency does not have a toll program.

DMV does send text messages for actions initiated by the customer, but the messages never include links to verify personal information, according to the DMV.

“For example, when a customer establishes a DMV2U account, a security code may be sent by text to establish verification,”? the release states. “Customers may also receive a DMV appointment reminder or cancellation notice by text.”

DMV officials recommend that if you receive such a fraud text, you immediately delete the text message and block the number.

“Clicking on a suspicious text message or payment link will take you to a website where you are at a high risk of getting your personal and financial information stolen,” the state agencies warn. “ODOT and DMV staff members are unable to provide technical assistance with a customer’s phone.”

How the scam works

• Urgency and threat. The texts often create a sense of urgency, claiming unpaid tolls and threatening fines or penalties if you don’t pay immediately.
• Links to phishing sites. They include links that, if clicked, lead to fake websites designed to steal your personal and financial information.
• Impersonation. Scammers impersonate ODOT or other tolling agencies, making the texts seem legitimate.

How to protect yourself

• Don’t click links. If you receive a text about unpaid tolls, do not click on any links or provide any information. 
• Verify with ODOT directly. Contact ODOT through their official website or phone number to confirm if you owe any tolls. 
• Report the scam. Contact the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392 or file a complaint online. You can also file a complaint with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center and the Federal Trade Commission. 
• Be cautious of suspicious texts. Be wary of any text message that demands immediate action or asks for personal information or payment. 
• Delete the text: Once you’ve reported the scam, delete the text message and block the number to prevent further potential harm.

If you click a link or provide your information

• Secure your personal information and financial accounts. 
• Dispute any unfamiliar charges.

You can also verify a message’s legitimacy by contacting ODOT directly at 1-888-Ask-ODOT and DMV directly at 1-855-540-6655. For more information about fraud prevention, visit Oregon DMV.

Every year, the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony honors the state’s law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

This year’s ceremony will be held Tuesday, May 6th at 1 p.m. at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem.

The annual event commemorates the more than 190 fallen officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the state of Oregon since the 1860s. This includes law enforcement, corrections, and parole and probation officers from city, county, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies.

The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training is proud to host the ceremony in partnership with the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, Oregon Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation, and various statewide law enforcement associations.

Indigenous Speakers Series Returns to the Museum in April with Three Inspiring Events

BEND, OR — This coming April, explore identity, cultures and how to live the good life when the High Desert Museum’s Indigenous Speaker Series returns. Promising a vibrant showcase of Indigenous voices, the series features an array of Indigenous artists, storytellers, scholars and more who share their unique perspectives with the community.

“We are honored to once again collaborate with Indigenous knowledge holders to bring vital conversations to our visitors,” said Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. “The April events are a continuation of an effort to elevate Indigenous voices to share the issues and cultures of the High Desert.”

The three April events explore topics such as identity, creativity, community and portraiture. Two of the events are connected to an exhibition open now at the Museum, Frank S. Matsura: Portraits from the Borderland. Featuring 20-plus enlarged portraits taken by Matsura of Native peoples in the early 1900s, the exhibition provides visitors a unique look at life in Okanogan County in Washington state during a time of transition. The exhibition originated at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture in Spokane, Wash.

On April 1, Michael Holloman (Colville Confederated Tribes), a Washington State University associate professor and a curator of the original exhibition, will lead a panel discussion that looks deeper into Matsura’s life. “Frank S. Matsura: His Life and Portraits” also includes film and media scholar Glen Mimura and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Beth Harrington. The event will consider Matsura’s experiences as a Japanese-born photographer and his nuanced imagery of Native communities. Tickets are $5, with a 20% discount for Museum members and free entry for Tribal members. For tickets, visit highdesertmuseum.org/matsura-portraits. 

Then, on April 25, the Museum will host LaRonn Katchia (Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs), the director of Pathfinders, for a discussion of the short film. Katchia, a Warm Springs/Wasco/Paiute filmmaker and storyteller, will be joined by Thyreicia Simtustus, Kahmussa Green and Kiahna Allen (Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs), who are featured in the film. Part of the Matsura exhibition at the Museum, the film explores how the three young leaders are finding their own paths in balancing Native and non-Native worlds. Tickets are $5, with Members receiving a 20% discount and free entry for Tribal members. For tickets, visit highdesertmuseum.org/pathfinders. 

In between those two events, on April 17, the Museum will host Chris La Tray, Métis storyteller and award-winning author of Becoming Little Shell. La Tray will discuss the Anishinaabe word Mino-bimaadiziwin, meaning “the good life.” The concept emphasizes the importance of community well-being and living in harmony with the world around us. At its simplest, it is living a life in balance, but how?

Montana’s Poet Laureate from 2023-2025, La Tray is a descendent of the Pembina Band of the mighty Red River of the North and a member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians. His first book, One-Sentence Journal: Short Poems and Essays from the World at Large, won the 2018 Montana Book Award and a 2019 High Plains Book Award. The event includes light refreshment and a no-host bar. Tickets are $12, with members receiving a 20% discount and free entry for Tribal members. For tickets, visit highdesertmuseum.org/the-good-life.

The Indigenous Speakers Series is made possible by The Roundhouse Foundation, with additional support from Author’s Unbound for the April 17 Chris La Tray event. For more information and to purchase tickets for Indigenous Speakers Series events, visit highdesertmuseum.org/indigenous-speakers-series.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM: THE HIGH DESERT MUSEUM opened in Bend, Oregon in 1982. It brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of North America’s High Desert. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2019 recipient of the Western Museums Association’s Charles Redd Award for Exhibition Excellence and was a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. To learn more, visit highdesertmuseum.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

The long-delayed deadline for REAL ID is now less than 2 months away. There’s a chance that full enforcement may get gradually rolled out, but May 7, 2025, is the changeover deadline.

Starting then, state-level ID cards, such as driver’s licenses, won’t be accepted for federal purposes, namely getting through airport security, unless it’s REAL ID-compliant.

If you plan to catch a domestic flight on or after May 7, you will be required to use a REAL ID. A little gold or black star in the upper right-hand corner is one of the easiest ways to know you’re holding a REAL ID.

In Oregon, it’s a black star. A REAL ID is an identification card that serves all of the same purposes of a standard drivers’ license or state-issued identification card. A federally-mandated switch to REAL ID for federal purposes, such as flying domestically, was originally signed into law by Congress in 2005.

The purpose is to establish “minimum security standards for license issuance and production,” according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website. The law, established four years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, came in response to federal calls for higher security standards in the U.S. Originally, the law mandated the switch to REAL ID by 2008, but it has been pushed back for various reasons due to logistical hurdles and later the COVID-19 pandemic.

Registration is closing soon for the Bob Ross-inspired Happy Little (Virtual) 5K

Oregon Parks Forever — Inspired by American painter and PBS television personality Bob Ross’ love of the outdoors, Oregon Parks Forever is sponsoring a virtual 5K race to help plant trees in Oregon’s parks & forests.  Registration is now open for the 2025 Run for the Trees at www.orparksforever.org.

Inspired by American painter and PBS television personality Bob Ross’ love of the outdoors, Oregon Parks Forever is sponsoring a virtual 5K race to help plant trees in Oregon’s parks & forests.  You must register by April 1^st in order to get your shirts and medal before the event.

Participants can walk, run, paddle or roll to complete their 5K anywhere outdoors anytime between April 19 and 27 (covering Earth Day and Arbor Day).   Participants are encouraged to register by April 1 to ensure that your swag arrives before the event week.  If you register after April 1, you may not receive your swag before race week. Registration will close on April 15.

For $36 per person, each participant will receive a keepsake Happy Little T-shirt, a commemorative bib number and a finisher’s medal. All Oregon race proceeds support tree planting and forest protection efforts in Oregon parks.  Ten trees will be planted in Oregon for each registration.  This year, the trees will be planted in the Santiam Canyon.

Initially, the “Happy Little Trees” program began with a partnership between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Bob Ross Inc., with hundreds of volunteers helping to plant “happy little trees” at locations hard-hit by invasive pests and tree diseases. The partnership quickly expanded to include the Run for the Trees / Happy Little (Virtual) 5K.

As the Happy Little 5K gained popularity, more states have joined the effort. Now in its fifth year, the Happy Little 5K has expanded its reach to include eleven other states. Together, Michigan, Oregon, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Maryland, Virginia and Tennessee will “lock arms” as they help raise awareness and funding for stewardship efforts in each state’s parks.

“We are thrilled to partner with Bob Ross, Inc. and these other eleven states on the Happy Little 5K concept as a way to honor the late Bob Ross and create a legacy event to plant trees,” said Seth Miller, Executive Director of Oregon Parks Forever.”

Oregon Parks Forever is joining this event as an expansion of our efforts to fund the replanting of trees killed by wildfires, heat domes and invasive insects.  Over the past two years, Oregon Parks Forever has been able to fund the replanting of more than 800,000 trees across Oregon.

“The official Bob Ross 5K is probably our most favorite initiative,” says Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Company. “It’s the perfect blend of everything Bob held dear; nature, taking care of the environment, and happy trees too of course. He would have been so pleased to see how it’s getting so popular around the world.”

Learn more about the program at www.orparksforever.org.

Contact us: Info@OregonBeachMagazine.com